Winger Drew Mitchell has been ruled out of Australia's final Tri-Nations showdown, against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday.

The Waratahs flyer picked up a hamstring injury in the build-up to his vital try against South
Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday, a game which the Wallabies won 41-39 thanks to Kurtley Beale's last-gasp penalty.

While Mitchell's injury is not serious, this weekend's ANZ Stadium clash will come too early for him to play a part.

His team-mates are out to break their second hoodoo in as many weeks after picking up their first high veldt win since 1963, with the All Blacks poised for a 10th straight win over their Trans-Tasman rivals.

Wallabies boss Robbie Deans will not be calling on extra cover following the news. Reds wing Peter Hynes is back to full fitness after a lengthy absence while Mitchell's Waratahs team-mate Lachie Turner and uncapped duo Nick Cummins and Pat McCabe are the home side's other back-three options.